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What Causes Erection Problem Post A Colonoscopy?

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Posted on Thu, 22 Dec 2016
Question: I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy on Monday and found out that the doctor suspected Barretts disease. I was extremely extremely extremely stressed out about it but luckily the biopsy is negative yesterday. Over the past 5 days I was petrfied about the possiblity of having Barrett's Esophagus diseases. I cried and feeling anxious, depressed and hopeless about this whole situation. Several nights I did not get any slept at all.







I was completely sedated during the procedure. Now I can't have an erection while masturbation. My question is can colonoscopy cause total erectile dysfunction???



I don’t think they put a catheter in my penis during the colonoscopy. I had sex with my girlfriend last Saturday, two days before the colonoscopy. Everything was fine. I just turned 43. Normally I get morning erections regularly but 3 to 4 days after the procedure I didn't noticed any morning/night erections. I tried to masturbate (to test if I can) but I can't have an erection. Finally LAST NIGHT I did have erections couple of times but it was not as hard as before. My mind is still so fixated on not have erection.







I am so scared that I am permanently damaged by the procedure. There are not much online about this two issues. The impression I got was that erectile dysfunction is not cause by colonoscopy. I asked the doctor who did the procedure and he told me it's not the colonoscopy. I also talk to another doctor in the same office and he said he had not seen that in his 40 years. The GI doctor did tell me that some men can get erection and ejacuation during the colonosocpy because prostate is somehow being stimualated. I also ask a cardiologist friend of mine and he also said no. I am just afraid the procedure some how damage the prostate and the nerves in the anus and cause erectile dysfunction. Have you seen or even heard of permanent erection problems after colonoscopy? I am still terrified of this.

doctor
Answered by Dr. Rishi (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
It is most likely the anxiety that is leading to the erection problems.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Thanks for your question.
I do understand your problem. As suggested by your search on the issue, Colonoscopy does not lead to erection problems.
I feel it is the anxiety related to the possibility of Barrets esophagus that has led to this problem. Anxiety is the first and commonest cause of erection problems, especially when you had no problems earlier.
I suggest you start some anxiolytic medicines and it should get relieved in a week or so. It is definitely not a permanent problem and the more you can make your mind and body relax and forget the episode of these investigations the sooner you can get back with your life normally. It is all in your control, I assure you. You could start taking Tab Alprazolam 0.25mg at bed time. But it would probably not be available off the counter in your state. Even if you take it then continue it for only a week to ten days.
Im sure you would be fine very soon. Please do not worry about it.
Take care and do let me know if there are any queries on this issue.
Dr Rishi, New XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Rishi (1 hour later)
Dear Dr. XXXXXXX

Thank you for your answer and I am comforted that the erection problems is not related to the colonoscopy. My anxiety in the last week has been extremely terrible. I do have some Alprazolam 0.25 mg at home and I will take it for a week to ten days as suggested by you. Hopefully I can forget about the colonoscopy episode and move on with my life.

XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Rishi (42 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Good to hear from you.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for your reply.
I hope you get relieved and completely normal over the next few days.
I used to be a General Surgeon and then specialized in Laparoscopic Gastrointestinal surgery. Now I have turned my interests to Vascular Surgery and have recently completed a degree in the same.
Do let me know if there are other queries that might arise.
I would be happy to address them.
Take care and happy recovery,
Dr Rishi, New XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Rishi (16 minutes later)
Dear Dr. XXXXXXX

Thank you very much for background information. I am actually a PhD statistician in California. My dissertation advisor was from the XXXXXXX Statistical Institute before coming to the United States.


Have you seen cases or even heard of cases where complete erectile dysfunction right after colonoscopy? I was fine 2 days prior to the procedure. I am extreme paranoid person and my anxiety is out of control the last week since the doctor suspected Barretts diseases. Luckily the biospy was negative for Barretts and the tissue was normal.



Thank you again,
XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Rishi (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You should relax as the biopsy report is normal.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for your answer and good to know your profession.
I have not seen or heard of any cases of erectile dysfunction after Colonoscopy.
I have seen many patients after Colonoscopy but none has ever brought forth such a complaint. I dont think it is related. Even literature does not suggest anything like this. Therefore, it is better to try and relax since the biopsy report has come back normal. If the problem persists then you should contact a Psychologist for the same. A Psychologist would be of great help in this matter.
Take care and hope that I was of help to you and your health.
Regards,
Dr Rishi, New XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Rishi (23 minutes later)
Dear Dr. XXXXXXX

Thank you so much for the information. I do feel more relax now since you never seen or heard about erectile dysfunction after colonosocpy. Also the literature does not suggest anything like this makes me feel more calm.


Again thank you for your kindness and advice,
XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Rishi (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
All the very best to you.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for your answer and I really hope I have been able to help you.

Take care,
Regards,
Dr Rishi, New XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Rishi (17 hours later)
Dear Dr. XXXXXXX

If a person have enlarge prostate or prostatitis would that in anyway cause erectile dysfunction because of the colonoscopy?


Thank you so much again,
XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Rishi (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
That would be unlikely.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Enlarged prostate or Prostatitis can rarely lead to transient problems of erection but they would be short lived. I would not blame enlarged prostate for any erection abnormalities. They would however lead to change in quality of the sperms or semen,
Take care.
Dr Rishi, New XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Rishi (4 hours later)
Dear Dr. XXXXXXX

Thank you! What I am asking is would having Prostatitis or enlarged prostate and having the colonoscopy lead to complete erectile dysfunction?


Thank you again, XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Rishi (12 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It would not lead to such problems.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
I read your concern.
Having these problems while having a Colonoscopy will definitely not lead to complete erectile dysfunction.
Believe me. This is not possible.
You will be back to your normal sexual life as soon as you believe that you are fine and have no problem with your system. You are among the lucky gifted people who have a normal working body and working healthy sexual build up. I do urge you to remember the sexual history of your life and understand that nothing has changed since then.
Take care and let me know if there are queries about it still.
Am ever ready to help you.
Dr Rishi, New XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Rishi

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1999

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What Causes Erection Problem Post A Colonoscopy?

Brief Answer: It is most likely the anxiety that is leading to the erection problems. Detailed Answer: Hello and Thanks for your question. I do understand your problem. As suggested by your search on the issue, Colonoscopy does not lead to erection problems. I feel it is the anxiety related to the possibility of Barrets esophagus that has led to this problem. Anxiety is the first and commonest cause of erection problems, especially when you had no problems earlier. I suggest you start some anxiolytic medicines and it should get relieved in a week or so. It is definitely not a permanent problem and the more you can make your mind and body relax and forget the episode of these investigations the sooner you can get back with your life normally. It is all in your control, I assure you. You could start taking Tab Alprazolam 0.25mg at bed time. But it would probably not be available off the counter in your state. Even if you take it then continue it for only a week to ten days. Im sure you would be fine very soon. Please do not worry about it. Take care and do let me know if there are any queries on this issue. Dr Rishi, New XXXXXXX XXXXXXX